Freya McMahon is part of the Ensemble in Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch for their transfer at The Other Palace in London, working with Sam Buttery (Ursula), Julie Yammanee (Ariel), Allie Dart (Sebastian & Others), Blair Robertson (King Triton & Others), James Spence (Eric & Others), Jacob Whawell (Ensemble) and Kelly Sweeney (Offstage Understudy), and a Freya was also part of the Christmas run at The Lowry. In 2024, Freya made her professional debut when she was cast as Penny Pingleton in the UK & Ireland Tour of Hairspray, having booked the role whilst training in her third year at Mountview. Whilst a student at Mountview, Freya performed in shows including Pippin, State Fair, Sunday in the Park with George, 9 to 5 and Mean Girls, and graduated the same year as booking Hairspray. We caught up with Freya about being in the cast of Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at The Other Palace, making her professional stage debut as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray and her time training at Mountview.

Until Sunday, 5th April, you are performing in Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at The Other Palace, what is the musical like to be part of?

So much fun! We have the most wonderful group of people, and they make it a joy to come to work every day. I’m so lucky I get to call this my job – I literally get paid to play mermaids. What?!

Having been in the Ensemble for the 2025 Christmas season at The Lowry, how did the Salford run go and how does it feel to be returning to the show for the London transfer?

I was born and bred in Greater Manchester, so it always feels special to perform where I’m from. I actually started musical theatre when I was 16 at a college about ten minutes away from The Lowry, so that was very full circle – I drove past where we’d all go on our free periods every night after the show. I felt like audiences really loved the show, and it was a wonderful Christmas all round. The North is such a kind and friendly place, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences in London now. It feels great to be coming to London, especially since I’ve only ever performed here for a week when I was on tour. The show feels like it just keeps getting bigger and better!

How was it reading the Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch script for the first time and what drew you to the production?

I actually didn’t fully read it until the read-through on the first day of rehearsals, which is really not like me. I’ve usually learnt all my lines before I start. This was such a wonderful way to experience the script for the first time though. Hearing it brought to life by the actors in the room gave it so much life – I was laughing from start to finish. I remember reading the scenes I was sent to audition with in a park in the sun, and I was so excited I had to dash home straight away to get started on prepping. I probably looked crazy, but it’s rare to be sent something you love like that straight away. I knew I had to be a part of this show.

Can you tell us about the musical and how is it working alongside the rest of the cast – Sam Buttery (Ursula), Julie Yammanee (Ariel), Allie Dart (Sebastian & Others), Blair Robertson (King Triton & Others), James Spence (Eric & Others), Jacob Whawell (Ensemble) and Kelly Sweeney (Offstage Understudy)?

Every member of the cast is just fabulous. I can’t sing their praises enough – they’re wonderful on and off stage. Sam leads the cast with such confidence and love, and she inspires me every day – a big heart and even bigger tits. Can I say that? (It’s on brand for the show, I promise). I’ve never been a part of such a supportive cast, and it’s really a rare pleasure. I could talk about all of them for days.

I love my ensemble/swing/understudy sisters, Kelly and Jacob. Together, we cover every part in the show, and there’s no one I’d rather do it with. The sheer amount of work to cover the roles in this show can be quite daunting, but I’ve never felt so supported and lifted up in my entire career. It makes all the stress worth it when you feel that sense of accomplishment when you tick off a cover.

Why do you think London audiences will enjoy Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch and why would you recommend booking tickets?

I think London audiences are going to love the show because there really is nothing like it around at the moment. It’s quite fun discovering the differences between the Salford and the London audiences because sometimes they love slightly different parts, and it’s so exciting to see the show being so well received and so widely as well.

I would recommend booking tickets because you will leave with the biggest smile on your face and the sorest stomach from belly laughing for two hours straight. It’s silly and camp, but it has so much heart. Ursula is a woman (or should I say octopus?) who doesn’t conform to society and refuses to dampen or reduce herself, her beauty, or her power for anyone!

What was it like making your professional debut with Hairspray in 2024 and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role of Penny Pingleton?

Hairspray was the craziest experience. It was honestly the dream situation. The audition process – from finding out I was auditioning to booking the role – was just five days. A real whirlwind. I missed the call from my agent because I was in rehearsals for my third-year show. I think I was maybe in shock because I remember just not saying anything. I couldn’t believe what was happening. We all dream of booking a job whilst we’re at school, and to have it actually happen to me didn’t feel real. I wish I’d documented more of it, but I was kind of in a trance. I had three days between leaving school and starting rehearsals, and now I think back, and I still can’t believe it. I’m just so grateful to Brenda (Edwards), the director, and the whole team at Hairspray for taking a chance on me.

How did you find the experience touring with a theatre show for the first time and performing in a hugely-popular musical?

Hairspray is one of the greatest musicals of all time. I’ve seen the film so many times; I think it’s one of the best movie musicals there is. I don’t think there’s a bad song in it. After I booked the job, an old video of me talking about how good Hairspray is came up on my phone – so I think I accidentally manifested it! Touring is really hard, I can’t lie, and tiring as well, but also so rewarding. I got to see so many beautiful places and theatres across the country, and it is an experience I will NEVER forget. People also love that show, and it means a lot to them, so it was such a privilege to be a small part of that joy for so many audiences.

What was Penny like to play and how was it getting into character?

Penny is just such a gift of a part. She’s funny, she gets to sing some great songs, and she transforms into a diva at the end – what isn’t there to love? I can be pretty shy and awkward, so I’m not sure she was too much of a stretch for me. It was a lot of fun to find her walk, her voice, and how she changes throughout the piece because of what she experiences. She has such a satisfying arc, and I really enjoyed working out what that should look like. She will always hold a special place in my heart, as will the show, as my debut. I think I’ll carry her and Baltimore with me forever.

You graduated from Mountview in 2024; how was your time as a student there and was there anything that encouraged you to apply?

I loved Mountview – it was definitely the right choice for me. I value what I learned there so deeply, and I definitely wouldn’t be who I am without it. I owe that place and those people a lot. I made some beautiful memories and some incredible friends that I carry with me still.

Drama school can be so hard at times, but I don’t regret a single second because it’s brought me to where I am today. I actually got into Mountview first and cancelled all my other recalls. When you know, you know – it just felt like the place for me.

I love how Mountview starts with acting before anything, and that is what I value when I watch performers that I admire. I think it’s a wonderful school – but, of course, I’m biased! I think it’s just important to pick the school that speaks to you, no matter what anyone says. Even if a school is incredible, if it isn’t right for you, you aren’t going to become the greatest version of yourself.

Can you tell us about some of the shows you performed in whilst training, which include Pippin, Sunday in the Park with George, 9 to 5 and Mean Girls?

Wow, some of these feel like so long ago now! Each of the shows I did at Mountview has a value and has taught me lessons I still hold with me to this day – even the ones not mentioned here.

State Fair was the first leading role of my life and ignited my lifelong love for legit musicals. My first-ever play was The Restless House Part One: Agamemnon’s Return, and this stretched me as an actor like never before. It was so physical and challenging as a piece reimagined from Ancient Greece, and I think this was one of the most fulfilled and accomplished I felt after a performance.

In Mean Girls, I was the dance captain, so I learnt an entirely new set of skills and the capacity of my brain was tested like never before! I think this experience was especially useful when it came to learning all my covers for Unfortunate.

9 to 5 was my first third-year show, and what an experience! We performed it in the style of German expressionism, so it was fast, specific, and ambitious. But that team was a really special one.

Playing Pippin in Pippin was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It’s a crazy show anyway, but also playing it with a gender swap tested me physically, emotionally, and vocally – and I’m so proud of what I achieved. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without watching and learning from my amazing classmates playing their leads in 9 to 5. Pippin was just a show with divine feminine energy, and it made me feel proud to be a woman.

My final third-year show was Sunday, and what a way to end! I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the house on that final night. Even after everything I did, I think playing Louise was my absolute favourite. I knew I was doing Hairspray at this point, and it felt like that lifted the pressure away from me. I was able to just create, perform, and enjoy. I’d love to revisit Louise and Sunday one day – I’m definitely not finished with that work. Sunday is one of the greatest shows ever written, with some of the most beautiful lines in history. I think my favourite (two because I can’t choose) are: ‘White. A blank page or canvas. His favourite. So many possibilities’, and ‘Anything you do, let it come from you. Then it will be new. Give us more to see’.

Looking back, I really did get the opportunity to do so many different things, and I’m so grateful for those experiences and what they taught me.

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get into it?

I’ve known for as long as I can remember that this is what I wanted to do. There has never been anything else. Every single Christmas concert was the highlight of my year as a child. Both my parents love acting, singing, and performing. My mum did a lot when she was younger, so they never tried to make me do anything else. They were supportive from the second I decided. I think my mum knew it was meant for me before I did.

One of my earliest memories is her asking me if I wanted to go to Stagecoach, and I can’t explain to you how exciting that was as a five year old. I don’t even think I asked to do something like that – she just knew what I wanted somehow.

I’ve also been very lucky to have some wonderful teachers, and I wouldn’t be here without them. I come from a small northern village in Rochdale, and when I was younger, the arts weren’t the most accessible. I didn’t think it was possible to make it your career; I didn’t even know what drama school was.

My high school drama and music teachers believed in me so much and supported me all the way. That’s how I ended up going to sixth form for musical theatre when I was 16. I owe them everything really. Shout out to Mr Milne, Miss Earl and Mrs KP!

Have you received any advice over your time in the industry so far that has stuck with you?

It’s actually inspired by the Serenity Prayer: ‘If you can change it, then change it, if you can’t, then don’t worry about it’.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and are there any you’d like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

When I was growing up, I remember being obsessed with Newsies. I actually went to the press night in London, and I’ve never seen dancing like it. That was a good one for the inner child. I love legit musicals, and I wish there were more of them. Guys and Dolls at the Bridge is one of the greatest things I have ever witnessed. I also wish there were more Sondheim – always! I can’t wait for the rush to get Sunday in the Park with George tickets when they come out – it won’t be for the faint of heart!

Out of the shows on at the moment, I’d love to see The Producers, I think. I also love Oliver! and the current West End production is such a wonderful revival – that ending music is one of my favourites of all time. As you can tell, I love the classics. I definitely need to watch more plays. One of my favourite plays I ever saw was Jack Absolute Flies Again at the National. We went during a heatwave to get air conditioning more than anything, and it was such a spontaneous and unexpected delight. I know it’s cliché, but the National never misses!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to read. I tend to read about 50 books a year, in every genre imaginable. I’d give recommendations, but we’d be here all day. The best book I’ve read in 2026 is The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I’ve got a notoriously bad attention span, apart from when I read books – it’s a mystery to me why, but it’s always been that way.

I’ve also recently got into playing board games. James (Spence), who plays Eric in Unfortunate, and I play a game called 7 Wonders every chance we get. Double show days are duel days, and we plan our time around them – we probably need to get a life. I also love sports and being active. I’ll honestly try anything. I love life, my friends, and just having fun.

Follow Freya on:

Instagram